Power fixture for elevator door operators



Aug. 16, 1932. R. s. PEELLE POWER FIXTURE FOR ELEVATOR DOOR OPERATORS Filed Jan. 3, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet T 1., MYXPMLI 4| L- l w Z w Z 4m 2 ATTORNEY.

Aug. 16, 1932. R. s. PEELLE POWER FIXTURE FOR ELEVATOR DOOR OPERATORS Filed Jan. 3, 1931 2 Sheets-$haet 2 ATTORNEY Patented Augs- 16, 1932 UNITED STATES ROBERT S PEEIJLE, OF HOLLIS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB TO THE PEELLE COMPANY, OI

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK POWER FIXTURE FOB ELEVATOR DOOR OPERATORS Application filed January 8, 1931.

My invention relates to a power fixture for elevator door operators, and more particularly to a single unitary structure for application to the guide rail structure in an elevator shaft embodying therein all of the mechanisms essential to the application of power to an elevator door for opening and closing same.

The fixture of the invention was produced for use in connection with a type of operator embodying therein a small motor acting through speedv reducing gearing upon a. sheave over which the flexible connections, connecting the sections-of what is known as counterbalanced doors, pass.

in the production of such doors it has long been the practice to assemble the guide rail structure in a plurality of lengths in the shop before shipment for installation in the wall of a shaft. This guide rail structure usually consists of what is known as a wall angle, one flange of which abuts against the wall of the shaft and is bolted thereto, and the other angle of which projects inwardly of the shaft and has firmly secured thereto a guide rail co-operating with the guide shoes upon the door sections to permit the free sliding movement of the door sections and hold them close to the wall of the shaft about the door openings.

When assembling the different lengths of the guide rail structure in the shop, the wall angle of some of the sections was provided with a plate pierced in a position to properly locate the various sheaves in their relation to the various doors, and expose them upon opposito sides of the wall angle, so that when mounting the doors in the shaft, it was merelv necessary topass the chains or other flex-- ible connections through such openings and a out the sheaves and connect the ends thereof to the sections of thedoor adjacent each sheave.

5 In the manufacture of the type of operator above referred to, the practice, prior to my invention, was to also mount the motor upon the wall angle after proper adjustment of the gearing connecting the motor to the a sheave. all wiring of the motor being done after the installation of the guide rail struc- Serlal No. 508,488.

ture with the attached motors and sheaves In' some instances, it was the practice to install the motors after the guide rail structure was in position upon the wall of the shaft.

When constructing and installing the ope-rs ator as above described, there were not only manufacturing difliculties in securing a proper ad ustment of the various co -operating parts, but the running of the electric lines and their connections with the various motors was a very troublesome procedure, and one requiring expert skill and familiarity with the peculiar characteristics of the operator installation.

With the above conditions in mind, I have provided a power fixture for elevator door operators in which the motor, the sheave and l With a fixture embodying the invention, a

sheave, its operating motor and the transmis sion gearing may be mounted upon the guide rail structure while in the shop and by a single operation, the construction and arrangement of the housing being such that all of the working parts are so inclosed as to avoid any possible interference of such parts with each other, and to exclude the dust and dirt, which accumulate rapidly in an elevator shaft, from all of these working parts.

The construction of the housing is such that all parts of the fixture may be contained within the space in an elevator shaft available for the installation of the operator, while at the same time facilitating the running of the electric lines for supplying power to the operators of the various doors in a shaft in relation to the motor, and for making the necessary connections between these power lines and the branch lines to the motor, and with the switch mechanisms controlling the flow of the current through these branch lines from the main line through these branch lines to the motor. Furthermore, the construction is such that all of the connections excepting those to the mains may be made during the installation of the fitting in relation ut to avoid possible interference between the moving parts of the fixture and the various electrical lines adjacent same.

In addition to the foregoing characteristics, the construction of the housing of the fixture issuch that while allowing a free run of the fiexible connections, the likelihood of of the escape of such connections over the shrouds of the sheave is reduced to a minimum.

In the fixture of the invention, the various parts are housed in, or "connected with, a

single metal casting so formed that all such parts, without adjustment, will be brought and maintained in the proper operative relation, and be so protected as to avoid any possible interference of parts or of the electrical wires with the movable parts.

The invention consists primarily in a power fixture for elevator door operators embodying therein a narrow casing recessed at one edge thereof to form a pocket, having a front opening and a bottom opening, a sheave having a gear attached thereto, means whereby said sheave and'gar are mounted in the side walls of said pocket, said gear and sheave projecting through said front opening, a circular recess forming flange upon the other side of said casing, the wall between said recess and said pocket having an opening ad- 'jacent the perimeter of said gear, a circular motor in said recess having its shaft projected through said opening, a gear carried by said shaft and enmeshed with the gear upon said sheave, a cap closing said motor recess, and means whereby said casing may be attached to the guide rail structure for elevator doors; and in such other novel characteristics as are hereinafter set forth and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side view of the fully wired, assembled and installed unit;

Fig. 2 is an edge view thereof from the right of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view thereof;

Fig. 4 is. a vertical section on the line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a detail view of the casing from the left of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 6 is a section on the line-6-6 of Fig. 5.

Like numerals refer'to like parts throughout the several views.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawin the guide rail structure is indicated in Figs. 1 and 3 at 10. This guide rail structure not only supports the guide rails along which the door sections have 7 movement, but supports the door sections and all of the working parts i'i"f"3 f. lVith the particular type of operator to which the present invention relates, a small narrow motor is used, the application of power to this mo- 7 tor being controlled by a switch mechanism also carried by the rail structure adjacent the sill of the door opening, as well as by either car or ball controls, according to the type of elevator installation. The guide rail structure extends inwardly from the wall of the shaft only a few inches, the amount being determined by the thickness or arrangement of the door sections.

The sheave, over which the flexible connections between the door sections run, which connections ordinarily include a link chain, must be located adjacent the inner edge of the guide rail structure in order to permit a proper run of the connections durin the o ening and closing of the door, an portions of the sheave must be exposed upon opposite sides of the guide rail structure to permit a proper run of the flexible connections to permit their attachment to the door sec tions.

The fixture of the invention is not only so constructed as to satisfy all of the above con ditions required by standard installations of elevator doors, but to ensure a proper, ad 'usted relation of the various working parts fore the guide rail structure is shipped from the factory so as to avoid possibility of an improper installation of the operator, as well as the added expense of installation on 1 6 .the job, and of possible subsequent servicing to correct error arising during installation.

To secure the desired result, I provide a casing 11 which may be an unfinished casting, since precision work is not required. This casing is provided, at one side thereof, with a pocket 12, closed in all respects excepting for a front opening 13 in the casing, and a bottom opening 14 adjacent the back of the casing, which openings are provided for US the purpose of permitting a free run of the connecting chains through the pocket and above the sheave 15.

The side walls of the casing forming the pocket are parallel, and the general form of the other wall of the pocket is such as to follow the perimeter of the sheave. The side walls of the pocket have mounted therein suitable bearings, such as 16, for the shaft 17 of the sheave 15, one shroud 18 of which is in 12 the form of a spur gear through which power may be applied to the sheave.

Projecting from the front wall of the casing, above the opening 13, is an arcuate shield 19 following the perimeter of the sheave 18 with the two-fold object of preventing the possibility of the chain jumpin one shroud of the sheave, and for excluding dust, dirt and grit from the portion of the sheave projectmg through the opening 13 and from the chain passing about said sheave. At one side of said opening and below the shield 19 is a uard flange 20. The relative diameter of t e pocket 12 and of the sheave 18, and the relative width of \said pocket and of said.

' sheave, are such as to permit the free threadin ab e support for the sheave and for the moing of a chain through the pocket and about the sheave without afi'ordin clearance upon either side of the sheave suflicient to receive said chain in the event of its jumping the shroud of the sheave.

It will be noted that the greater part of the sheave is completely enclosed by the walls of the pocket 12, and that the portion of the casing forming this pocket is but little wider than the sheave itself.

Upon the side of the casing opposite to that in which the ocket 12 is formed, is a circular flange 21 orming a recess 22 for the reception of a circular mbtor of special construction. Adjacent the bottom of this recess the casing is slotted as shown at 23 to permit the passage of the terminal leads of the motor from the recess. The motor is secured in said recess by means of a cupped cap 24 enclosing the portion of the motor projecting beyond the recess. This cap is secured in position by means of screws 25.

The wall of the casing separating the recess 22 from the pocket 12 has an opening 26 therethrough. This opening 26 is co-axial with the recess 22, and located adjacent, but beyond, the perimeter of the sheave 18. The casing and the cap 24 are provided with suitable bearing bosses 27 and 28 for the shaft 29 of the rotor of the motor.

It will be noted thatby employing a casconstructed as above described, a suit tor is not only afforded, but in assembling the sheave and the motor in the casing, no fitting or adjusting is required because the construction and arrangement of the fittingis such as to establish and maintain a proper relation of the motor and the sheave. The shaft 29 of the rotor has formed thereon, or secured thereto, a small driving gear 30 which will be enmeshed with the gear shroud 18 of the sheave 15 as a result of the locating of the motor within the recess 22.

The casing 11 is provided with a flange 31 above the pocket 12 by means of which the casing with its contained sheave and motor may be firmly secured to the. guide rail structure 10.

The motor itself is shown at 32 p I To facilitate the running of the electric mains and the connections of the motors and switches in relation thereto, I provide in the casing not only means facilitating the run of l the mains, but the connection of such mains with the motor and'with branch lines to the motor including therein a rail switch mechanism. The motor 32 is a three-phase motor requiring the running of three main lines throughout the shaft which work can be done only after the installation of the guide rail structure. .The motor connections with the switch upon the guide rail structure may,

however, be done in the shop so as to reduce the electrical work within the shaft to merely the running of the main lines and the making of three connections therewith.

The casing 11 is so constructed as to not only permit the connection of electrical conduits therewith, but to also provide in the casing, adjacent the recess 22, a junction or outlet box which is conveniently accessible for the purpose of making such electrical connections when the guide rail structure carrying the casing is in the shaft.

The casing 11 is provided at the top thereof with an opening 33 adapted to receive a bushing 34 used in the attachment of a conduit 35 to the casing. Below this opening, the casing is provided with a channel 36. Toward the bottom of this channel an o ening 37 leads into a chamber 38 at the ottom of and formed integrally with, the casing 11. In the bottom wall of the chamber 38 are two openings39 and 40 adapted to receive respectively bushings 41 and 42 by which conduits 43 and 44 may be connected with the bottom of the casing. The conduit 44 at its lower end is connected with a switch box not shown, which switch box is also connected with the section of the guide rail structure 10 upon which the casing 11 is mounted. Consequently, the conduit 44 may be assembled in the rail structure at the same time that the casing 11 is assembled in this structure so that wires may be run through this conduit 44 and electrical connection of these wires with the motor and with the switch may be made in the shop.

The chamber 38 is located in its ent-iret below the flange 21 and the cap 24 thus a ording clearance for the free run of the chain below the pocket 12. The back of the chamher 38 is substantially flush with the top of a the cap 24 and so that when the fittin is installed, the back wall comes almost fi ush against the wall of the shaft. Access to the chamber 38 can, therefore, be had onl from the front thereof or from the shaft si e. To permit this access, I formed the chamber with an open front and close this front by means of a cover plate 45 removably connected with the casing by means of screws or in any other desired manner.

One side wall 46 of the chamber 38 is extended to a plane parallel with the flange 31, and has openings therethrough for the reception of screw bolts or other means by which the lower portion of the casing 11 may be firmly secured in relation to the guide rail It will be noted that the closure 45 is sented inwardly of the shaft so that no culty will be experienced in removin and replacing this closure when making e ectrical connections.

It will also be noted that the casing 11, except for the cap 24 and the cover 45, is formed'of a single casting which will ensure uniformity in the relation of parts as to all fittings produced.

There are two fittings used with each door, and consequently, the fittings will be made right and left. A fitting embodying the invention has the various openings for the bear ings of the motor and of the sheave drilled therein, jigs being used to ensure accuracy in the locating of these holes. The sheave is then mounted in the pocket 12, ball bearings preferably being used for this purpose, and the openings in the side walls of the pocket being formed to receive said bearings. The size of the opening 13 is such as to permit the insertion of the sheave through this opening, the shaft for the ball bearings being driven after the sheave is in position.

The stator of the motor 32 is then positioned within the flange 21, and firmly secured in relation to said flange. The rotor with its shaft is then mounted within the field tator,

the gear 30 being passed through the opening 26, as shown more particularly in Fig. *2, and enmeshed with the gear shroud 18. The cap 24 is then secured in rention to the casing 11.

Vhen mounting stator of the niotor within the recess formed by the flange 21, the three terminal wires 53 and are passed through the opening so as to be exposed within the chamber 38. The casing 11 is then mounted upon the guide rail structure, and the conduit 4 is connected. with the casing 11 by means of the bushing 42. Meanwhile, the guide rail switch has been attached to the same section of the guide'rail structure so that this conduit may also be connected with the switch box. The wires 56, 57 and 58 are then run from the chamber 38 to the switch box, and the proper connections made at the switch box. The other ends of two of these wires 5556 are then spliced to two of the motor terminal wires. The cap 45 is thenv secured to the casing 11 to close the housing 38, and the guide rail structure with the fit the electri guide rail casing 3,1 i

11 at th n. door opening, throughout the shaft. lino 19,50 and 51 are then p ullcu through all of the conduits, each of the wires passing along the channel through the opening 37 and throat 48 into the chamber 38, sullicient slack being allowed in the wires to permit the connection therewith of one of the motor terminals 52 and two of the wires 57 and 58 running through the conduit 44, with these main line wires at each fitting.

\Vhen these connections have been. made,

the work upon the fittings is complete. In r fact, while on the job, the only work in connection with the motor installation is the running of the feed lines in the manner (10-,

scribed, and the making of three electrical connections at each fitting. All other work may be completed in the shop where none of the inconveniences present while working in an elevator shaft are present.

A fitting em 'lodying the invention, including the motor and the sheave, can be made of very much less weight than would be possible with any other arrangement. The conduits afford a certain degree of support to the casing 11, although the bolts connecting same with the guide rail structure are mainly relied upon.

In a fitting, all of the essential parts of the operator element are compactly arranged and provision is made by which that small part of the work of installation of the operator which must be done in the elevator shaft may be quickly and convenientlv done. At the same time, the fitting affords all those safeguards required by various building departments or local ordinances, so far as the wiring of the installation is concerned.

It is not my intention to limit the invention to the precise details of construction shown. in the drawings, it being apparent that such may be varied. without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent, is 1- l. A power fixture erators embodying therein a narrow casing recessed at tn edge thereof to form a pocket, having a fr....t opening and a bottom opening, a shea having a gear attached thereto, means whereby said sheave and sald gear are for elevator door op- I T ltl front opening,

a a channel in an outer mounted in the side walls of said pocket, said gear and sheave projecting through said a circular recess forming flange upon the other side of-said casing, a wall between said recess and said pocket having an opening adjacent the perimeter of said its s aft projected through said opening, a gear carried by, said shaft and enmeshed with the gear upon said sheaves, a capclosing said motor recess, and means whereby said casing may be attached to the guide rail structure for elevator doors.

2. A power fixture for elevator door operators embodying therein a narrow casing recessed at one edge thereof to form a pocket, having a front opening and a bottom opening, a sheave havin a gearattached thereto, means whereby sai sheave and said ear are mounted in the side walls of said goo et, said gear and sheave projecting throng said front opening, a circular recess forming flange upon the other side of said casing, a wall between said recess and said pocket having an opening adjacent the perimeter of said gear a circular motor in said recess having its s aft projected through said opening, a gear carried by-said shaft and enmeshed with the gear upon said sheave, a capclosing said motor recess, 7 adjacent the bottom thereof, means whereby an electric conduit may be attached to the casing at the top thereof, said casing having wall thereof extending from said last named means to said chamber, means whereb an electric conduit may be connected wit the casing in communication with said chamber, and means whereb said casin may be attached to the guide rail structure or elevator doors.

3. A power fixture for elevator door operators embodying therein a narrow casing recessed at one edge thereof to form a pocket,

having a front opening and a bottom opening, a sheave having a ar attached thereto, means whereby said s eave and said gears are mounted in the side walls of said ocket, said gear and sheave projecting t rough said front opening, a circular recess forming flange upon the other side of said casing, a wall between said recess and said'pocket having an opening adjacent the perimeter of said gear, a circular motor in said recess having its shaft projected through said opening, a gear carried by said shaft and enmeshed with the gear upon said sheave, a cap closing said motor recess, said casing having a chamher at the bottom thereof below said recess forming flange, means positioned above said pocket whereby an electric conduit maybe attached to the casing, said casing having a channel rearwardly of said pocket extending from said last named means to said chamber, means whereby an electric conduit may be connected with the casing in communication geari1 a circular motor in said recess having said casing having a chamber nication with said chamber,

ing as said pocket is located, 125 closure cap for said chamber, and means erators embodying therein a narrow casing recessed at one edge thereof to form a pocket, havinga front opening and a bottom opening, a sheave having a gear attached thereto, means whereby said sheave and said gears are mounted in the side walls of said pocket, said gear and sheave projecting through said front opening, a circular recess forming flange upon the other side of said casing, a wall between said recess and said pocket having an opening adjacent the a circular motor in said recess having its shaft projected through said opening, a gear carried by said shaft and enmeshed with the gear upon said sheave, a cap closing said motor recess, the bottom thereof below said recess forming, flange, means positioned above said pocket whereby an electric conduit may be attached to the casing, ,said casing having a channel rearwardly of said last named means to said chamber, a plurality of means whereby electric conduits may be connected with the casing in communication with said chamber, and means whereby said casing may be attached to the 9.5

guide rail structure for elevator doors.

5. A power fixture for elevator door operators embodying therein a narrow casing recessed at one edge thereof to form a pocket,

having a frontopening and a bottom opening, a sheave having a gear attached thereto, means whereby said sheave and said gear are mounted in the side walls of said ocket, said gear and sheave projecting throng said front opening, a circular recess forming flange upon the other side of said casing, a wall between I said recess and said pocket having an opening adjacent the perimeter of said gear, a circular motor in said recess having its shaft pro- 'ected throu y said sha t and enmeshed with the gear upon said sheave, a cap closing said motor recess, said casing having a chamber" at the gottom thereof below said recess forming whereby an electric conduit may be attached to the casing, said casing having a channel 'rearwardly of said pocket extending from said last named means to said chamber, a. plurality of means whereby electric conduits may be connected with the casing in commusaid chamber opening outwardly on the same side of the casa removable whereby said casing may be attached to the guide rail structure for elevator doors. 6. A power fixture for elevator door operators embodyin therein a narrow casing recessed at one e ge thereof to form a pocket,

perimeter of said gear,

said casing having a chamber at said pocket extending from h said opening, a gear carried,-

meansspositionedabove said pocket having a front opening and a bottom opening, a sheave having a gear attached thereto, whereby said sheave and said gear are mounted in the side walls of said pocket, said gear and sheave projecting through said front opening, a circular recess forming flange upon the other side of said casing, a wall between said recess and said pocket having an opening adjacent the perimeter of said gear, a circular motor in said recess having its shaft projected through said opening, a gear carried by said shaft and enmeshed with the gear upon said sheave, a cap closing said motor recess, said casing having a chamber at the bottom thereof below said recess forming flange, means positioned above said pocket whereby an electric conduit may be attached to the casing, said casing having a channel rearwardly of said pocket extending from said last named means to said chamber, a plurality of means whereby electric conduits may be connected with the casing in communication with said chamber, said chamber opening outwardly on the same side of the casing as said pocket is located, a removable closure cap for said chamber, said cover having an ofiset throat communicating with said channel whereby wires may be led from said channel into said chamber, and an offset hollow portion adjacent and below the front wall of the casing below said pocket, and means whereby said casing may be attached to the guide rail structure for elevator doors.

7. A power fixture for elevator door operators embodying therein a narrow casing recessed at one edge thereof to form a pocket, having a front opening and a bottom opening, a sheave having a gear attached thereto, means whereby said sheave and said gear are mounted in the side walls of said pocket, said gear and sheave projecting through said front opening, said casing having a guard flange at one side of the front opening of said pocket, and a curved shield projecting therefrom with. a downward trend above saidpocket, a circular recess forming flange upon the other side of said casing, a wall between said recess and said pocket having an opening adjacent the perimeter of said gear, a circular motor in said recess having its shaft projected through said opening, a. gear carried by said shaft and enmeshed with the gear upon said sheave, a cap closing said motor recess, and means whereby said casing may be attached to the guide rail structure for elevator doors.

8. A power fixture for elevator door operators embodying therein a narrow casing recessed at one edge thereof to form a pocket, having a front opening and a bottom opening, a sheave having a gear attached thereto, means whereby said sheave and said gear are mounted in the side walls of said pocket, said gear and sheave projecting through said front opening, a circular recess forming flange upon the other side of said casing, a

wall between said recess and'said pocket ha ving an opening adjacentthe perimeter of s: id gear, said casing having a guard flange proj ecting from the wall between said recess and said pocket, and a curved shield projecting from said casing with a downward trend adjacent the top of said front opening, a circular motor in said recess having its shaft projected through said opening, a gear carried by said shaft and enmeshed with the gear upon said sheave, a cap closing said motor recess, said casing having a chamber at the bottom thereof below said recess forming flange, means positioned above said pocket whereby an electric conduit may 'be attached to the casing, said casing having a channel rearwardly of said pocket extending from said last named means to said chamber, a plurality of means whereby electric conduits may be connected with the casing in communication with 'said chamber, said chamber opening outwardly on the same side of the casing as said pocket is located, a removable closure cap for said chamber, said cover havin an offset throat communicating with said c a nel whereby wires may be led from said channel into said chamber, and an offset hollow portion adjacent and below the front wall of the casing below said pocket, and means whereby said casing may be attached to the guide rail structure for elevator doors.

In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature, this 29th day of December, 

